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Ghost stood at the table across from a distraught Mirabelle. She was stiff, nervous, and unusually quiet. In the thirty minutes since the questioning began, she hadn't said a word, “Out with it.”

“Quiet.”

“I'm here to answer questions, not to just stand around and take up space. Now tell me what you want to know.”

“Shut. Up.”

“Who shoved a stick up your ass?” She tensed up even more, “Oh, that's right, your dear ol' hubby probably did. Is that it? Big, tough Mirabelle-”

“You have your citizenship. Go out and do something. We're done here.” She stormed out of the room.

Ghost knew what he was doing, and a part of him didn't like pushing so hard, but he needed an opportunity to do something. The papers that Mirabelle had set on the table at the beginning of the session outlined his new rights, but all he needed to know was that he could leave the tower freely. He pocketed the papers and left the room.

The elevator had more options now, all of the floors were available but only the important ones were highlighted in red. He hit the button to go to the upper floors and walked into the large home. Ghost bit his tongue and knocked on the large, black wooden door. The short dragon husband of Mirabelle peaked out through a peephole, “What do you want?”

“I would like to apologize for my behavior the other night. It was completely unacceptable and only caused stress for you and Mirabelle. I'm making my rounds and thought I could make it up to you by taking you to one of the best bars in the city. On Earth that is.” Ghost felt the bile rising in his throat.

But the husband took the bait, “Well... I see no harm in that. And it would be good to make my presence known among the other humans, a sign of nobility to put their minds at ease.”

“Very good. I will meet you just outside the entrance of the tower at, let's say five in the afternoon. That way you can still go about your daily business and look forward to a relaxing evening.” He forced a smile.

Mirabelle's husband nodded and returned a natural smile, “Why that sounds divine. I will meet you then. Will I need to bring my money?”

“I wouldn't dare ask that of you. Drinks and food is on me, and perhaps on any patrons that wish to shower gifts on you.” With that they parted ways and Ghost returned to the elevator and hit the button for the mall.

Miel happened to just be passing by the elvators, “How's my favorite human?”

“Naseous. I would keep my distance for a while if I was you, never know what might happen.”

She flashed a goofy smile, “Better than nothing happening. Where to?”

“I need a... tool. A knife and some cooking utensils. I plan on making my own food.”

“Why? You make a ton of money, buying is much easier.”

“I don't trust enough of you dragons.”

Miel shrugged, “Fair 'nough. Third floor, let's go.” She led the way to a store where Ghost picked up a good sized kitchen knife and ordered some pots and pans, “Wow, I can barely toast bread.”

“Either way, tonight I have plans and I need to get ready. I'll see you later.”

“Plans? Oh! Can I come? Please? I'll be good!”

Ghost sighed, “You have work.”

Miel shrugged, “Well, I have some sick time.”

“You can't come.”

“Well that sucks.”

Ghost waved his hand in dismissal and walked to the elvators, “It's better this way.”

The trip down was a long one, but he was a little surprised to find that the first floor was a wide-open space divided in half by security checkpoints. Two rooms on the elevator side were almost certainly meant for armed security, the the entrance side was mostly empty, “Ah, human. I got word that you're a citizen now. Congratulations.”

“Being a human on a ship full of dragons has its perks sometimes. Can I pass?”

The guard nodded, “Of course. No curfew either according to the new paperwork. Have a safe trip.” He waved as Ghost walked past the checkpoints and through one of the many doors to the outside. The sun was blinding, but even still the hood of his robe provided some protection.

More security outside, almost like they were expecting retaliation. Heavily armed dragons stood outside, all nodding as Ghost walked past them. He knew the location, it was in the middle of the city where a large abandoned lot used to be. Rumors existed for years that the mayor was going to take the three square mile area of the city and renovate it, but like most political promises, it was only for re-election. Whenever the topic came up, it was always his opponents that blocked the proposals. Now, however, the dragons used it properly with their monolith.

Ghost walked down a few streets to find that many humans were going about their daily business like nothing had happened. The rubble was cleared up and a few empty stores near Protheus were occupied by dragons. Some were selling merchandise, others seemed to be organizing a workforce by hiring humans for various jobs. An efficient way of spreading currency and good will.

His goal was a dive bar. Not the best like he said, but reliable. The owner would occasionally buy him a meal and give him a drink, saying that ghost reminded him of his own son. If you were smart, you would also know that a lot of shady things happened around that bar, and with a little cash you could get away with almost anything. Ghost made sure to carry all of his dragon money with him as he went down a few alleys and back streets.

When he arrived at the bar, he didn't go through the front door. Instead, he walked around the side and carefully looked around the back. When he saw the two people he needed, he stormed at them, “Well, if it isn't-” Ghost grabbed one of the burly guys by his shirt collar while also removing the knife he always carried in his pocket. The other guy was too run and Ghost took the opportunity to put the knife onto the burly man's throat.

“Both of you listen closely, 'cause I'm sure as hell not going to repeat myself.” Ghost said in an angry growl, “Tonight I'm bringing a dragon here.”

“Fine, fine! We won't hurt him! We swear!”

“Listen shit for brains! You're going to get him to go home with you. I don't care if you drug him. You both fuck him, film it, and he better be begging for more on that tape. Then upload it to every site you can. Do you hear me?!”

The burly man didn't know what to think, “I'm sorry, what?”

Ghost jammed the knife into the wall and pulled out a wad of money, “You're not doing this for free. But if this doesn't happen tonight, I will hunt you down and gut you in public. You too tubby.” Ghost released his grip, “Are we clear?”

The fatter one nodded, “So, uh... any... limitations?”

“He stays alive, but he must ask for more on film. Beyond that, do whatever it takes.” Ghost opened the back door of the bar, “You know what I'm willing to do if you take the money and run.”

Inside there was a wooden floor, a more traditional wooden bar, and tons of trinkets and junk hanging on the walls. It didn't look clean, but upon closer inspection anyone could tell that it was quite sterile. A few people had stopped in for breakfast, of which they could choose the egg and sausage sandwich or the egg and bacon sandwich. Cheap, filling, tasty, and an excuse to get a beer in the morning. The bartender was an attractive young woman while the owner was a middle-aged man that understood how the world worked.

Ghost stood in the blind spot of the security cameras, waited for the owner to look, then gestured for him to come over. He did his best to make sure that his face was concealed in case new cameras were installed, “Could have sword I felt a draft over here.” The cameras also had sound.

Ghost whispered, “A dragon is coming here tonight. Whatever happens was of his own free will, and anything 'added' to his drinks or food was by his request. I also think your cameras may be down for maintenance tonight.” He pulled the rest of his money from his pocket and set it behind the old cigarette ad poster.

“These wires look a little funny, I might need to call someone in.” The owner walked off and attended his own business while Ghost slipped out of the back. The men behind the bar were cautious, but let their guards down when Ghost walked past them. They gave a nod to confirm their end of the deal, but Ghost wasn't paying attention. His only goal was to wait until it was time, trivial things didn't matter.

There wasn't much good left in the city, so he went back to the entrance of Protheus and talked to the armed guards. They didn't even know why they were needed when the population was as content as it was, but they also weren't going to argue with a steady paycheck. He did this for a few hours, learning about the general attitude of the workers, then spent the rest of his time walking through the dragon stores and thinking.

Everything would go to plan tonight, it was almost foolproof. The only thing that could possibly go wrong was a car accident or natural disaster. He made his way to the entrance of Protheus, “Ah, glad you could make it. Shall we?”

The dragon smiled, “Of course! I wouldn't turn down a chance for admiration from loyal subjects. Lead the way human.”

Ghost took the well-traveled streets, still well populated and with next to no abandoned stores around. The dragon was satisfied by the sites, which meant that he let his guard down. An easy target was a good target, “Here we are. Don't be fooled by the exterior, it's a very refined establishment.” Ghost held the front door open and the dragon graciously stepped inside.

As expected, he commanded the attention of every patron in the bar. The two men from earlier were sitting at the edge of the bar and made eye contact with Ghost. They nodded together, “Ah, my adoring public. This was just what I needed, recovering from a stressful day and all.”

Ghost pulled out a chair from a table marked “Reserved” and gestured for the dragon to sit, “I'll order a few drinks to get started, but I'm sure a few people here would like to do the same.” Before he could take more than a step away, a bunch of patrons walked up to the dragon. They asked everything from the common questions (Can you breathe fire?) to the more complex (What do you like to drink?) and anything they could think of in between. As Ghost pulled up to the bar, he could of swore that he heard someone ask how the dragon brushed his hair, “I never said they were smart. Just that they would like him.”

The attractive bartender was still at work, “What can I get you cutie?” The owner snapped his fingers to get her attention, and although Ghost didn't look, it was certainly a signal, “Right, bar special for our honored guests.” She filled two large mugs with their cask craft beer, typically very expensive but incredibly tasty, “Hope he likes it. I know you will. Say...”

Ghost knew where it was going. She went through grade school with him and they shared just about every class. He went off to college while she decided to get a job. In this instance, it was clear who made the better decision. He grabbed the mugs and walked back to the dragon, “The bar special, they make it here themselves. Usually expensive, but they figured that such a rare guest deserves only the best.” He set one down and took a drink out of his own.

A subtly sweet while retaining the properties of a fine craft beer, it was no wonder that people often bought a jug to bring home at the end of the day. The aftertaste was even pleasant, almost like vanilla. The dragon took a large swig himself, “Why, I say that is simply delicious! I had doubts about this place, but now I know why you brought me here!” He gulped down some more.

“They also sell it in jugs if you would like for me to place that order.” The dragon nodded hastily, unable to get his snout away from the beer. Ghost walked through the crowd and back to the bar, “Another please, put it on my tab.”

Ghost tapped on the table in a specific rhythm meant to get attention. The burly man and the fat man got the hint, “Excuse me, do you mind if we bring that over? I would very much like to meet a dragon.” The burly man said, trying to sound as innocent as he could. This was impossible given his reputation, but the bartender decided that when a dragon, a formerly homeless man, and two assholes seemed to be communicating with each other, it was best not to ask questions.

“Not at all, be my guest.” Ghost set his beer up onto the bar and took slow sips, occasionally watching the sports program on one of the televisions. A baseball game with the local team and some other, but that didn't matter. Time was passing, slowly but surely.

“Seems like your dragon friend left. Shouldn't you follow him?” The bartender asked.

Ghost didn't take his eyes from the game, “He's an adult, he can make his own decisions.” He pulled out the few Kir he had left and set it on the bar, “Not like Protheus is hard to see from anywhere in the city.”

….........................................................

The night was restful, Ghost had just enough alcohol to relax his body but not enough to harm his sleep. The morning was as usual, a pain to get used to. Mirabelle was late however, even Ghost could tell without a clock. He took his time getting ready and then sat on the edge of his bed for what could have been an hour. Time was confusing with neither clock nor window.

The door opened and Maribelle entered with a pep in her step, “Come on, time to get to work.” he voice was less stern than before, still gravelly, but almost cheerful. They were quiet until they got into the elvator, “So it would appear that my husband humiliated himself. I was late because I had to attend the trial. Stripped of name, rank, money, and everything else.”

“Imagine that.”

“Yes, imagine that.” She hadn't selected a floor yet, but the doors were shut, “You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you?”

Ghost was affectless, “Not a thing. I just invited him to a bar to make nice.”

Mirabelle looked down and smiled, “I thought not. He was always close to slipping up, guess he finally did. We should get a drink after work to celebrate. Your citizenship that is.”

“Oh, I seem to have dropped all of my money. Guess you'll have to celebrate on your own.”

“I'm buying then. From one friend to another, it is my gift to you.”

“You know how I feel about debts.”

Mirabelle stifled a laugh, “That's why this is a gift, not a loan.”